Patriots cut Jake Bailey one year after major investment
The Patriots’ had one of the worst punting units in the NFL last season.
The New England Patriots are moving on from punter Jake Bailey less than one year after signing him to a three-year, $9.1 million contract extension.
The Patriots released Bailey on Friday, the team announced. The move incurs $2.4 million in dead cap and just $805k in cap savings unless New England can recoup guarantees after Bailey was subject to a team suspension late in the 2022 season.
Bailey ranked dead last in yards per punt attempt last season. Second-last was Bailey’s eventual replacement when he was placed on injured reserve: Michael Palardy.
Bailey ranked as one of the NFL’s best punters over the first two seasons of his NFL career after being selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2020.
The Patriots now must find a new punter in free agency or in the 2023 NFL Draft. They’ve typically swung for special teamers in the fifth round.
Michigan State's Bryce Baringer, Michigan's Brad Robbins and Rutgers' Adam Korsak are the top-ranked punter prospects by DraftScout.com.
Featured image via Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
